2 Chronicles 6:30Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Douay-RheimsHebrew (Masoretic text)

Hear thou from heaven, from thy high dwelling place, and forgive, and render to every one according to his ways, which thou knowest him to have in his heart: for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men:
Douay-Rheims

וְ֠אַתָּה תִּשְׁמַ֨ע מִן־הַשָּׁמַ֜יִם מְכ֤וֹן שִׁבְתֶּ֙ךָ֙ וְסָ֣לַחְתָּ֔ וְנָתַתָּ֤ה לָאִישׁ֙ כְּכָל־דְּרָכָ֔יו אֲשֶׁ֥ר תֵּדַ֖ע אֶת־לְבָב֑וֹ כִּ֤י אַתָּה֙ לְבַדְּךָ֣ יָדַ֔עְתָּ אֶת־לְבַ֖ב בְּנֵ֥י הָאָדָֽם׃
Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

One Church Father comments on this verse

John Chrysostom

4th centuryChurch Father

The understanding of the inner workings of the heart is solely within the realm of God. Consider the words of Solomon who states, "You alone know the heart," and the declaration of David, "You test hearts and wombs" (Psalm 7:10). Jeremiah also reflects on this truth when he says, "The heart of man is most deceitful and extremely corrupt; who shall know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9). Furthermore, God Himself proclaims, "Man looks on the face, but the Lord looks on the heart" (1 Sam. 16:7). Other passages throughout Scripture affirm that the hidden secrets of the heart are known only by God.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.